Report from Chris Smith.
Extinction fears for red squirrel
From the Manchester News 26 th April 2004
THE red squirrel now seems doomed to inevitable extinction in
mainland England and southern Scotland, wildlife experts warned today.
An investigation into the changing fortunes of Britain's mammals
reveals that circumstances "continue to worsen" for the red squirrel
despite every effort being made to save the species threatened by an
invasion of grey squirrels and outbreaks of parapox virus.
Authors of the report, Professor David Macdonald and Dr Fran
Tattersall, of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford
University, two of the UK's most eminent mammalogists, were asked by
the Mammals Trust UK to look at the current state of the UK's native
species.
The key findings show that the Scottish wildcat has interbred so
extensively with the domestic cat that they are now critically
endangered.
Conservation
The report says it is essential that the Government re-evaluate
conservation measures and the legal protection afforded to the
wildcat if it is to be restored to Scotland.
Currently, the report describes the Scottish wildcat as "probably on
the brink of extinction".
In the past, American mink have been held responsible for the fall in
water vole numbers, but new analysis suggests that it has simply
speeded up a historical decline resulting from competition with
livestock.
A number of reedbed sites have been assigned as National key Sites
for water voles, after research suggesting that these provide greater
protection from predators than main water channels.
Otters are now found to have returned to many parts of the UK,
following their dramatic decline last century, as a result of
extensive work by a number of organisations.
American mink numbers have simultaneously decreased and this is
thought to be related to the revival of otter populations, as these
influence the foraging behaviour and, therefore, diet of the mink.
The report also warns that the culling of badger populations to
prevent the spread of bovine TB may not be effective.
Recent research showed that there was a 27% increase in the number of
cases in reactive culling areas compared with related survey-only
areas where no culling took place.
The report says highly intensive agriculture using herbicide tolerant
GM crops may be very damaging to biodiversity.
And 2003 saw the publication of the results of the farm scale
evaluations of three herbicide tolerant GM crops, maize, beet and
spring oilseed rape.
It found that there were more insects in and around the conventional
beet and rape crops, as well as more weeds and weed seeds. In the
case of GM maize crops, where a different type of herbicide was used
later in the year, there were found to be more weeds, but not more
insects, around the GM crops.
Dependent
Much of UK wildlife is dependent on invertebrates for food including
many mammals, such as wood mice, bats and hedgehogs.
Caution and further research is recommended before the widespread
introduction of GM crops.
Co author of the report Professor Macdonald said "This has been an
extraordinary year for mammal conservation, with advances for
creatures as varied as water voles, otters and bats.
"However, there are also still huge problems ahead, such as the fate
of the red squirrel and Scottish wildcat.
"It is heartening to see that the public is becoming more and more
enthusiastic and all the more so due to the activities of the Mammals
Trust UK.
Dr Valerie Keeble, Chief Executive of Mammals Trust UK added:
"Professor Macdonald and Dr Tattersall's report provides us with an
excellent insight into the fate of our native mammals as it currently
stands.
"Mammals Trust UK believes that the report will be a very useful took
in the strategic planning of future conservation work."
© The Manchester News, 26 th April 2004
 |
 |
 |
| Return to index | Return to Exotic Scottish Animals | Return to Grey squirrels |